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SALT LAKE COUNTY -- The Salt Lake County Council has given preliminary approval to an ordinance that would fine residents who don't take their garbage cans in promptly after pickup.
Technically, residents already are required to move their trash cans and recycling bins off the street the day of garbage pick up. A new proposal will put in place a "three strike" enforcement system.
The first complaint counts as strike one. Residents will get a written warning. On the second strike, they'll get another written warning and a phone call. For strike three, sheriff's deputies can issue a citation for Justice Court.
The sponsor of the proposal, Councilwoman Jani Iwamoto, tells the Deseret News hopefully this will resolve issues in neighborhoods with too many trash cans, cars, bicycles and people.
Salt Lake County's sanitation services director says there have been problems in neighborhoods with narrow streets, like in Emigration Canyon.
The council could give final approval to the proposal in August. Residents could face a fine of up to $750 for violations.
Karl Hendrickson, the council's attorney, says the fines likely wouldn't climb into the hundreds of dollars unless a repeat offender clearly didn't get the point.
Story compiled with contributions from Andrew Adams and The Associated Press.
